A Philosophy for the Science of Well-Being
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.59 (551 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0199300518 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 248 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2014-10-10 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
By illuminating these "mid-level" theories, Alexandrova articulates fresh new answers to questions that have long bedeviled scholars: What is well-being? How can we measure it? And what steps can we take to promote it? This is philosophy at its best--clear, bold, deeply interdisciplinary, and driven by an optimistic vision that sees philosophy as having a crucial role to play in helping us to understand how to improve people's lives." --Michael Bishop, Florida State University "A masterful synthesis of the philosophy and science of well-being. Hausman, Herbert A. No researcher interested human flourishing can afford to ignore it." --Julian Reiss, Durham University . I suspect many scientists are similarly tempted to set philosophy aside. This book will serve as the starting point for any serious discussion of th
But for science this goal is both unlikely and unnecessary. This book, written from the perspective of philosophy of science, formulates principles for the responsible production and interpretation of this diverse knowledge. Skeptical arguments notwithstanding, this contexual well-being can be measured in a valid and credible way - but only if scientists broaden their methods to make room for normative considerations and address publicly and inclusively the value-based conflicts that inevitably arise when a measure of well-being is adopted. Does this science produce knowledge that is properly about well-being? What sort of well-being? The definition and measurement of these objects rest on assumptions that are partly normative, partly empirical and partly pragmatic, producing a great diversity of definitions depending on the project and the discipline. Instead the promise and authority of the science depends on it focusing on the well-being of specific kinds of people in specific contexts. Well-being, happiness and quality of life are now established o
She was a recipient of the Philosophy of Science Association Recent PhD Essay Prize.. She writes on philosophy of social sciences, especially economic modelling, explanation, and the sciences of well-being. Anna Alexandrova is a Senior Lecturer in Philosophy of Science at University of Cambridge and a Fellow of King's College, having previously taught at the University of Missouri